a war that he said would be a self-inafflicted wound. >> if russia attacks ukraine, it would be a war of choice, or a war without cause or reason. if russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human cost for ukraine will be immense. >> reporter: president biden spoke as the crisis reaches a potential turning point. with these images of what russia says is a drawdown of some of its forces near the ukrainian border. russian defense officials say these tanks and other armored vehicles have been taking part in planned tactical exercises, and are now returning to their permanent basis. it is a possible russian de-escalation that has been greeted in ukraine and elsewhere with suspicion. >> translator: we continuously hear different statements from russia so we have a rule. we believe not what we hear but what we see. if we see the pullout, we will believe in de-escalation. >> reporter: but it's not just a